Until recently, the story of Bass Reeves lived in relative anonymity. He was born into slavery in Arkansas in 1838 and went on to be the first black deputy U.S. Marshal in territories west of the Mississippi River. It is why he should be considered one of Black History’s heroes.
Reeves lived an adventurous kind of life that is worthy of being immortalized in literature and cinema. Perhaps that is why his life is the subject of the relatively new television miniseries on Amazon Prime, Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The show stars David Oyelowo in the titular role, and the executive producer is Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the popular show Yellowstone.
“Maybe the law ain’t perfect,” Reeves reportedly once said, “but it’s the only one we got, and without it, we got nuthin’.” Said in the 19th century, Reeves’s quote is something many Democrats could learn a thing or two from.
Reeves was owned by Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. After the Civil War started, the lawmaker’s son George enlisted to fight and took Bass. Eventually, Bass escaped from his life of forced servitude and ventured to modern-day Oklahoma, then known as the Indian Territory.
Living among tribes such as the Cherokees, Seminoles, and Creeks, Reeves was immersed in Native American language and culture until slavery was abolished. Afterward, he returned to Arkansas, where his law enforcement career began.
Later, Reeves was recruited to be a deputy by U.S. Marshal James F. Fagan for the Western District of Arkansas, where his time spent learning Native American culture would be useful. One of Reeves’s tasks was patrolling the Indian Territory and bringing law and order to an area with rampant, uncontrollable crime. Another interesting fact about Reeves was his ability to retain information. He was illiterate, but he memorized essential documents such as warrants to fulfill the duties of his job.
One of the more legendary parts of Reeves’ career as a lawman was his penchant for wearing disguises, dressing as a cowboy, a farmer, and even an outlaw, to capture criminals, just like the Lone Ranger. He is reputed to have been a fast draw and always had two Colt pistols on him, as he was ambidextrous. This was all part of the legacy of Bass Reeves.
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Some historians have listed Reeves as an inspiration for the aforementioned Lone Ranger. This rumor became part of Reeves’s legacy as well. However, recent analysis revealed that this rumor was unlikely to be true.
Reeves was considered a quick draw and an expert marksman with a revolver. He used his pistols and a rifle to protect himself and the lives of others regularly. He was a heroic lawman whose accomplishments warrant recognition and praise. During an era when black men were relegated to second-class status by Jim Crow and the horrors of segregation, Reeves rose above. During his time in law enforcement, Reeves reportedly arrested more than 3,000 criminals. He was a hero in every sense of the word who routinely risked his life to protect the innocent, regardless of race.